Queen's Cup (horse race)

Not to be confused with the Australian Turf Club's Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney, sometimes erroneously referred to as the Queen's Cup

Queen's Cup
Group 3 race
1934 King's Cup
Rogilla def Peter Pan
LocationVarious, across Australia
Inaugurated1827; 197 years ago (1827)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Race information
Distance2,600 m (1 mi 1,083 yd)
SurfaceTurf
WeightHandicap
PurseVaries
Phar Lap, 1930 winner
Kuvera, 1933 winner

The Queen's Cup, formerly King's Cup, is a horse race run in different locations across Australia from 1927 in most years until the present day. It was originally held in each of the six states of Australia in rotation each year, but has not been held in strict rotation in recent decades. The length of the race is 2,400 m (1.5 mi), and since the 1990s it has been a Group 3 race. As of 2022, the most recent race was run in March 2022 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.

History

The King's Cup was first run in 1927, inaugurated by the King of the United Kingdom and Dominions, King George V,[1] to celebrate the visit to Australia of the then Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother). The king would provide the trophy each year.[2] The conditions of the race stated that the race should be run in a different state in rotation each year, and hosted by that state's jockey club. The rotation was to be hosted in this order: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, with the first race in Victoria.[3][4] The participating jockey clubs decided that it should be a weight-for-age race (a Group 1 race). The race was especially prestigious in the years before World War II.[2]

The inaugural race in 1927 was won by Spear Maiden at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. The first trophy was presented by George V's son, then Duke of York, later King George VI, when he was in Australia to open the first Federal Parliament at Canberra.[5]

In May 1951, Shannon, ridden by Darby Munro[3] won the race at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.[6]

On the death of George V, George VI advised that he would continue to provide the trophy for the race. The race lapsed after the death of George VI in February 1952, but in April that year the Australian Jockey Club in Sydney received permission to run a Queen's Cup. Queen Elizabeth II would continue the tradition, providing the trophy, with a prize worth £2000.[5]

The first newly-renamed Queen's Cup was run at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, as part of the spring carnival, on Saturday 11 October 1952,[6] hosted by the AJC.[4] The race was run over 12 furlongs (1.5 mi) under quality handicap conditions.[5] In a surprise win, outsider Salamanca,[7] ridden by 19-year-old Aboriginal jockey Merv Maynard, beat the two favourites, champion horses Hydrogen and Dalray, both ridden by experienced jockeys, Keith Nuttal and Darby Munro.[8][9][10][11][12] Maynard's only regret was that he did not get to meet the then Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, who was, with husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, scheduled to hand out the trophies at the event. However, en route to their Australian engagements, the couple were visiting several African countries, and it was there that they received the news of the death of her father, George VI, so they had to return to England.[2] The young princess would remember the win, however, and on a state visit forty years later asked to be introduced to Maynard.[8]

In August 1953, Euphrates beat Hydrogen and set a Queensland race record,[13] at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane[3]

In March 1954: Sir Coral, at Morphettville Racecourse, Adelaide, won the race in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.[14]

It continued to be run in rotation until around 1985, when it appears to have been run at Randwick in that year and then again in 1988.[15][16] It was run at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, South Australia, until 1990, when it was run at Cheltenham Park Racecourse (described as "a new race in Adelaide called the Queen's Cup" by The Canberra Times),[17] where it was also referred to as the SAJC Queen's Cup.[18][19]

In 1992 the Queen's Cup, run in February at Randwick, was referred to as a A$100,000 Group 3 race, run over 2,000 m (1.2 mi).[20] The winning horse was Aquidity, trained by Tommy Smith, and Queen Elizabeth, who presented the trophies, and the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance[21]{[22]

In 1993 the race was run at in October at Flemington, worth A$58,000 and run over 2,500 m (1.6 mi). It was again referred to as a Group 3 race.[23]

Since 2000 the race has continued to be run in rotating venues, but not held in 2009 or 2014, and with breaks in 2020 and 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[24] In 2022 it was held by the Australian Turf Club on 19 March at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in western Sydney, entitled "Queen's Cup (N E Manion Cup)" (2,400 m (1.5 mi)).[25]

1934 and 1948 racebooks

  • 1934 AJC Kings Cup racebook front cover
    1934 AJC Kings Cup racebook front cover
  • Inside cover of the 1934 AJC Kings Cup showing raceday officials
    Inside cover of the 1934 AJC Kings Cup showing raceday officials
  • Starters and results of the 1934 Kings Cup showing the winner, Rogilla
    Starters and results of the 1934 Kings Cup showing the winner, Rogilla
  • Starters and results of the 1934 Kings Cup
    Starters and results of the 1934 Kings Cup
  • Back cover showing charges at the entrance gates
    Back cover showing charges at the entrance gates
  • 1948 SAJC Kings Cup racebook front cover
    1948 SAJC Kings Cup racebook front cover
  • 1948 SAJC Kings Cup showing raceday officials
    1948 SAJC Kings Cup showing raceday officials
  • 1948 SAJC Kings Cup showing the winner, Valcurl
    1948 SAJC Kings Cup showing the winner, Valcurl
  • Back cover showing charges at the entrance gates
    Back cover showing charges at the entrance gates

1954 racebook

  • 1954 SAJC Queens Cup racebook front cover
    1954 SAJC Queens Cup racebook front cover
  • Inside cover of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup showing raceday officials
    Inside cover of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup showing raceday officials
  • Starters and results of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup showing the winner, Sir Coral
    Starters and results of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup showing the winner, Sir Coral
  • Starters and results of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup
    Starters and results of the 1954 SAJC Queens Cup
  • The 1954 SAJC Queens Cup trophy
    The 1954 SAJC Queens Cup trophy

Selected dates and winners

King's Cup

  • 1927: Spear Maiden[5]
  • 1928: Limerick[3]
  • 1929: Valparaiso[3]
  • 1930: Phar Lap[3]
  • 1931: Roseburn
  • 1932: Second Wind[3]
  • 1933: Kuvera[3]
  • 1934: Rogilla[3]
  • 1935: Serlodi
  • 1936: Donaster
  • 1937: Tetbury
  • 1938: Debater
  • 1939: Marauder
  • 1940 - 1945 Not Run
  • 1946: Shannon[6]
  • 1947: Falcon Knight
  • 1948: Valcurl
  • 1949: Royal Academy
  • 1950: Chatspa
  • 1951: Durham, at Flemington[3]

Queen's Cup

  • 1952: Salamanca[7]
  • 1957: Sir William, at Flemington, Melbourne[28]
  • 1958: McDougall, at Randwick, Sydney[29][30]
  • 1968: Robins Boy, at Mowbray, Launceston[31][32]
  • 1984: Colonial Flag, at Morphettville, Adelaide[33][34]
  • 1985: Chelaware, at Randwick[15]
  • 1986: Exdirectory, at Elwick[35]
  • 1993: Toll Bell, at Flemington[37]
  • 1995: Full Suit, at Eagle Farm, Brisbane[38]

References

  1. ^ "Queen's Cup". The West Australian. Vol. 68, no. 20, 545. Western Australia. 26 May 1952. p. 10. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c Maynard, John (1998). "Aboriginal stars of the pigskin". Aboriginal History. 22. ANU Press: 128. ISSN 0314-8769. JSTOR 24046163. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Queen's Cup in October". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. XIII, no. 27. New South Wales, Australia. 25 May 1952. p. 20. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b "Queen's Cup at Randwick". The Sun (Sydney). No. 13, 181 (Late Final Extra). New South Wales, Australia. 29 April 1952. p. 28. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ a b c d "Queen's Cup in Spring". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 23, 378. Victoria, Australia. 29 April 1952. p. 14. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ a b c "Queen's Cup At Randwick". Truth. No. 3252. New South Wales. 25 May 1952. p. 19. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b "Turf". Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 15 October 1952. p. 8. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ a b Maynard, John (16 March 2021). "Jockeys: Mervyn Maynard and Darby McCarthy". Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Randwick". Cairns Post. No. 15, 786. Queensland, Australia. 13 October 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Cup stolen by Salamanca (501)". Brisbane Telegraph. Queensland. 11 October 1952. p. 28. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Maynard on Ocean Spray". The Sun (Sydney). No. 13318. New South Wales. 15 October 1952. p. 36. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Racing S.P." The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 35, 822. New South Wales, Australia. 13 October 1952. p. 8. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Queen's Cup to Euphrates". Daily Examiner. No. 7313. New South Wales, Australia. 17 August 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ a b "Sir Coral Wins Queen's Cup". The Border Watch. Vol. 93, no. 10, 741. South Australia. 20 March 1954. p. 16. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ a b "Sandown: Puckle Harbour in big upset". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 310. Australian Capital Territory. 17 November 1985. p. 34. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "Weight a factor for success in Metropolitan". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 354. Australian Capital Territory. 3 October 1988. p. 19. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "A Marbleous win proves he has the power". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 20, 225. Australian Capital Territory. 26 August 1990. p. 13. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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  19. ^ a b c d e "Queen's Cup - Past Winners - Results - Australia". Racing and Sports. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Sport: Two guests in a row snare Cup". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 760. Australian Capital Territory. 15 February 1992. p. 51. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ a b "Queen gets the good oil from 'King of Royal Randwick'". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 769. Australian Capital Territory. 23 February 1992. p. 1. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ a b "Court circular". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 769. Australian Capital Territory. 23 February 1992. p. 2. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "Four for Hayes, two to Smith". The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 341. Australian Capital Territory. 19 September 1993. p. 18. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Queen's Cup". Racing Australia. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 19, March 2022". Racing Australia. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Priandy pleases with last-minute sprint". The Daily News (Perth). Vol. LXXIII, no. 24, 459. Western Australia. 16 April 1955. p. 1. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "Dunsinane's Queen's Cup —and now for the marathon". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 16 February 1956. p. 20. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "Week-end race results". The Canberra Times. Vol. 31, no. 9, 120. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 18 March 1957. p. 8. Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ "Aqua Boy In Line For Third Cup". The Canberra Times. Vol. 33, no. 9, 613. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 October 1958. p. 24. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ^ "El Rocco At Best For Burragorang". The Canberra Times. Vol. 33, no. 9, 622. Australian Capital Territory. 28 October 1958. p. 16. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ^ . The Examiner. 22 February 1968. pp. 30–32. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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  34. ^ "VIC and SA programs". Royal Australian Navy News. Vol. 27, no. 18. 21 September 1984. p. 10. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "Beverly Buckingham | Active Tasmania".
  36. ^ "Chill Factor ideal for Qld Cup: Pelting". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 19, 765. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 November 1989. p. 17. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  37. ^ "Flemington". The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 355. Australian Capital Territory. 3 October 1993. p. 17. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ^ "Suntain wins but fails to crack record". The Canberra Times. Vol. 71, no. 22, 130. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 November 1995. p. 17. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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